A:
There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable
and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You
can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green
Guru's secret identity.

rate this answer

Friday - September 11, 2009

QUESTION:

I live in East Texas and I would like to know which of the milkweed plants bears the largest seed pod. I would also like to know the best time to locate the pods in and around the Smith County area.

ANSWER:

Texas is rich in milkweeds, Asclepias spp.Of the 75 species of milkweeds that occur in the US, more than half (42) can be found in Texas. At least 10 native milkweed species occur in and around Smith County, in east Texas' Pineywoods ecoregion.

So Asclepias amplexicaulis may make the champion milkweed pods in your area based on length. If you factor in girth to find the most massive milkweed follicle, then Asclepias viridis my win by a nose.

Not every species listed here necessarily occurs in Smith County. However, they have all been collected no farther away than one of the counties adjacent to yours. So, if conditions are favorable, you might expect to find any of them there.

More Herbs/Forbs Questions

It's so hot, even the Salvia greggii are sad, in Bulverde TexasJuly 28, 2011 - I have several Salvia greggii in large terra cotta pots. The leaves have developed a yellowish tint and are thinning. What is the best process to get them back to full green foilage?view the full question and answer

Native perennials for Ft. Worth TXMarch 17, 2013 - Mr. Smarty Pants,
I have two large planters around the back side of my saltwater pool where there is no decking. (sloped landscape) 8'long x 3' wide. I need low growing perennial plants that will ...view the full question and answer

Can bastard cabbage be eaten from AustinMay 02, 2013 - On a local cooking show they were talking about cooking local foods and mentioned bastard cabbage but never showed how to cook it or if it was in fact edible. Would be a way to help get rid of it if ...view the full question and answer